What Shall I Do With Jesus

Song Meaning

Grandpa Jones's stark rhetorical question in "What Shall I Do With Jesus" cuts through the comfortable veneer of faith to expose the raw nerve of personal responsibility. The song isn't a gentle invitation; it's a gauntlet thrown down. The lyrics, steeped in the imagery of Pontius Pilate's dilemma, aren't concerned with historical accuracy as much as with forcing a confrontation. The listener is thrust into the role of judge, jury, and potential executioner of their own salvation. The genius, if one can call it that, lies in its circularity. The chorus doesn't offer answers, only a mirror reflecting the listener's own anxiety back at them: "Question with question I answer / What will He do with me?" The song's brilliance resides in its understanding of human psychology. It bypasses intellectual debate and targets the primal fear of consequence. The second verse bluntly lays out the stakes: "Save your soul or be lost." This isn't subtle persuasion; it's a threat, albeit one cloaked in the language of salvation. The reference to Satan as a lawyer is particularly telling, painting a picture of a cosmic courtroom where the soul is the prize. This legalistic framing taps into a deep-seated human need for order and justice, while simultaneously suggesting that salvation is a battle to be won, not a gift to be received passively. Ultimately, "What Shall I Do With Jesus" isn't about Jesus at all. It's about the self. It's a relentless exploration of the burden of free will, the terror of making a choice with eternal ramifications. The song's power lies not in its theology, but in its unflinching portrayal of the psychological drama inherent in the act of belief. It's a challenge, a dare, and a mirror all rolled into one, forcing the listener to confront not just their faith, but the very nature of their being.